Springfield Police Department

Machine Gun Recovered, Five Suspects Arrested with Stolen Vehicle


Machine Gun Recovered, Five Suspects Arrested with Stolen Vehicle

Springfield, Mass. --- On Monday May 4th at approximately 1:30 p.m., Springfield Police Officers assisted by Massachusetts State Police Troopers seized a loaded machine gun and arrested five suspects on the 300 block of Franklin Street. 

Around 1:25 p.m., officers observed a stolen motor vehicle on Marion Street.  The vehicle was reported stolen out of Springfield on May 2nd. 

Officers then saw five individuals outside the vehicle on Amherst Street, three of whom were attempting to pull off the license plate.  Officers also observed one individual who was carrying what appeared to be a firearm in his sweatshirt pocket. 

As officers conducted a traffic stop, the five subjects got back into the car and sped away.  A few minutes later, officers received information that the vehicle was in the area of Franklin Street.  Officers located the vehicle and the five suspects on foot.

One suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Xavier Gonzalez, attempted to run away while carrying what appeared to be a firearm.  The other suspects were detained. 

Officers quickly apprehended Gonzalez and recovered a firearm.  The firearm was loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition and had a sear-selector switch, making it a fully automatic machine gun. 

Gonzalez, 19-year-old Neashawn Lopez, 23-year-old Aiden Laboy, a 17-year-old male and 15-year-old male were placed under arrest.  The vehicle was returned to its owner. 

18-year-old Xavier Gonzalez of Holyoke is charged with:

  • Carrying a Firearm without a License
  • Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm without a License
  • Possession of a Machine Gun
  • Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
  • Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle

19-year-old Neashawn Lopez of Holyoke is charged with:

  • Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle

23-year-old Aiden Laboy of Holyoke is charged with:

  • Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle

The names and specific charges of the juveniles arrested will not be released due to their age.